A superb circular trek with family and friends

According to legend, a lama following a runaway yak discovered the Langtang valley. Hence the name 'Lang ' - Tibetan for yak and 'Teng' (more correctly Dhang) means to follow.

The legendary Himalayan explorer and mountaineer Bill Tilman, who explored this region in 1949, described Langtang as 'one of the world's most beautiful valleys', yet it receives relatively few visitors. Due north of Kathmandu, a little over thirty kilometres away, are the Himals (ranges) of Langtang, Ganesh and Jugal. The great peak of Langtang Lirung (7246 m) dominates the valley to the north; Gangchempo (6388 m) and Naya Kangri (5846 m) lie to the south; and Dorji Lhakpa (6966m) protects the east end of the valley. In the clear months these stunning peaks form a dramatic backdrop to the broad Kathmandu Valley.

The Langtang Himal is separated from the Ganesh Himal in the west by the Bhote Khosi (river) and from the Jugal Himal to the southeast by the Langtang Valley and glacier. The Langtang Valley extends eastwards from the Bhote Khosi and ends dramatically in a high mountain wall that is a natural border with the wild plateau of Tibet. The Bhote Khosi, flowing south from Tibet, is a natural route through the mountains and was at one time vitally important for trade between Tibet and India.

The area was designated Nepal's first Himalayan National Park in 1971. The trek up the Langtang valley offers the chance to walk through dense forest, where we may be able to spot the elusive red panda or the langur monkey. In spring the forest explodes into shades of red and pink with the flowering of the rhododendron trees - our timing in April will be perfect ! The upper end of the valley, surrounded by peaks and inhabited by yaks, is a wonderful haven and we will have the chance to explore this valley and glimpse the high peaks of Tibet. THE PEOPLE OF LANTANG ?The Tamang people, a major ethnic group of Nepal, inhabit the valley of Langtang.

The Tamangs are an ancient tribe who originally came from Tibet hundreds of years ago. They not only occupy the Langtang valley but also areas to the east and west of Kathmandu and the countryside surrounding the drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi. The name is said to derive from the Tibetan “ta-mang” which means “horse trader”. Their religion is Tibetan Buddhism but it also combines more ancient beliefs in earth spirits and evil spirits. There are no monasteries in the region with celibate monks as the lamas belong to the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. As such they are also family men and farmers who inherited their religious role from their fathers.